Auxiliary fuse-containing multiple outlet electrical connector



June 3, 1952 R. T. SHAUL 2,599,023

AUXILIARY FUSE-CONTAINING MULTIPLE OUTLET ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Dec. 11, 1950 W 5 42 FI EL INVENTOR Boyer Z Jizaul ATTORNEY Patented June 3, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUXILIARY FUSE-CONTAINING MULTIPLE OUTLET ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR The present invention relates generally to electrical receptacles or connectors, and more specifically to an improved electrical receptacle which incorporates fuses for the purpose of opening an electrical circuit passing through the connector in the event of a short circuit or overload Within one or more fixtures having electrical connection with such receptacle.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a structurally simple, yet mechanically efficient, fuse-containing electrical receptacle which is arranged for insertion within the usual female receptacle embodied in household electrical circuits, and which is formed to receive a plurality of male electrical plugs or connectors associated with a plurality of electrically actuated appliances.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fuse-containing multiple-type electrical receptacle which is formed to provide ready access to internally positioned fuses for purposes of replacing such fuses in the event of a short circuit within one or more of the appliances having electrical connection with the receptacle.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a multiple-type fuse-containing receptacle which is formed with a plurality of identical casing sections which are joined in operation by detachable fastening devices, and which readily lend themselves to economical formation by molding operations.

For a further and more detailed understanding of the present invention and the various additional objects and advantages realized therefrom, reference is made to the following description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a multiple fuse-containing receptacle formed in accordance with the present invention, and showing the operating relation of such receptacle with a plurality of electrical appliances;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the receptaole;

Fig. 3 is a medial longitudinal sectional view taken through the receptacle;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are detailed perspective views of the separable sections comprising the present receptacle;

Fig. 7 is a medial longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the outer section of the present receptacle;

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 99 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 10 is a detailed perspective view of one of the electrical conductor prongs carried within the outer section of the present receptacle;

Fig. 11 is a detailed perspective view of an insulating spacer carried within the outer section of the receptacle for maintaining the separate conductor prongs in spaced electrically insulated relation; and

Fig. 12 is a detailed fragmentary elevational view showing one of the fuses and its associated compression spring and contact connection.

Referring nowto the drawing, and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the numeral [2 designates generally a wall structure in which is mounted the usual female type of electrical outlet [3 having the usual spaced-apart slots 14 for the reception of the male prong members carried on the ends of the plug-type connectors of electrical appliances. As will be understood, the slots M of the receptacle I3 carry suitable electrical conductors which are electrically connected within the ordinary household circuit to supply operating current to various appliances throughout a dwelling.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide a multiple outlet plug-type electrical conductor generally designated by the numeral 15, and which is formed to provide two separable sections 16 and H. The inner section is is of generally cylindrical cross section and is formed in two identical portions or sections l8 and [8 of semi-cylindrical configuration which are de tachably united .by means of a diametrically extending screw-threaded bolt 20 and a cooperative nut, not shown. The two half sections 18 and I!) are chambered along their abutting faces to' provide a pair of relatively spaced cylindrical bores 2| opening freely outwardly from one end of the inner section l5, and terminating at their opposite ends in a pair of relatively narrow slots 22. Extending through the slots 22 are a pair of male connector prongs 23 arranged for insertion within the female sockets I4, and terminating at their opposite ends within the bores 2| in laterally offset hooked spring shoulders 24. Positioned within each of the bores 2| is a coil congpression spring 25 having its base convolution disposed around the laterally offset shoulder 2-1 of the prongs 23. The opposite ends of the coil spring 25-abut a relatively flat circular collar of dielectrical material which is carried upon an elongated contact postiiia arranged for engagements with theshoulder 24 and one end of a cylindrical and. tubular type of electrical fuse 27.

The fuses 2! are of a length to normally project outwardly, as at 28, from the outer end of the inner section it, but may be compressed inwardly of the bores 21 against the action of the springs 25. Upon compression of the springs 25, the contact posts 2301. make electrical contact between the shoulders 26 and the fuses 2?.

At the end of the inner section it opposite the outwardly extending prongs 23, the casing halves l8 and iii are formed to provide relatively reduced semi-cylindrical bosses 29 which, in turn, are formed with relatively diametrically enlarged and tapered bayonet-lock shoulder formations 33.

The outer casing section I] is likewise formed with identical half portions 31 and 32 which are detachably united by a diametrically extending bolt 33 and cooperative screw-threaded nut 33, as shown particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The outer end of the section I! is beveled inwardly on either side thereof, as at 35, and opening outwardly on either of the beveled faces of the section H are chambered slots 36 formed in, and extending diagonally inwardly of, each of the section halves 3! and 32 of the outer section ll. As shown particularly in Fig. '7, each half section 3! and. 32 has the slots 35 formed therein merging with one another in substantially V- shaped configuration, and positioned within the slots 33 is a Y-shaped electrical conductor 31, as seen particularly in Fig. 10. The conductors 3'5 are provided with angularly related arms 33 which occupy each of the chambered slots or sockets 33 and terminate in spring-type extensions 39 which are bent backwardly upon the arms 38 to provide a resiliently yieldable crowding arm within each of the slots 36. The conduotors 3T terminate in an angularly related and fiat terminal end 40 which extends through the chambered sockets 36 and into a substantially open chamber 41 formed in the opposite end of the outer section ll. Positioned between the Y- shaped conductors 37 carried in the separate half sections 3| and 32 is a Y-shaped insulating spacer element 42, as shown in detail in Fig. 11. The spacer element 42 is provided with the angularly related arms 43 which space and electrically insulate the corresponding arms 38 formed on the separate conductors 31, while the apex portion of the element 42 is relatively laterally enlarged, as at A l, to maintain a spacing between the terminals 43 of the separate conductors 31. At the same time, the portion 44 of the spacer element serves to wedge the separate conductors 3'! within the chambered sockets 36 of each of the half sections to prevent undesired displacement of the conductors 31.

As before stated, the end of the outer section ll opposite to the slot 36 is formed with a cylindrical chamber GI which is arranged to receive the cylindrical boss regions 29 of the inner section 6. The chamber 4| is defined at its outer end by an annular inwardly directed shoulder 35 which is slotted on either side, as at 43, to receive the bayonet-lock shoulders 33 and permit the two sections it and I1 to be rotated relative to one another approximately 90 to bring the outer ends of the fuses 21 into circuit-making engagement with the angularly directed terminals 40 formed on each of the conductors 31. The inwardly directed annular shoulder 45 is provided with a corresponding taper to provide a bayonet-type lock with the shoulder 30 of the section l6 and to provide for relatively tight fitting frictional engagement between the sections I6 and I1 upon alignment of the fuse ends 21 with the terminals 40 of the conductors 31.

In operation, as shown in Fig. l, the two casing sections [6 and H are operatively engaged by the bayonet-lock connection between the shoulders 30 and the flange 45, and in this position, the receptacle, with the fuses 2'i occupying the bores 2| and the springs 25 compressed, is in condition for use. The male prongs-23 of the receptacle are then inserted within the ordinary wall socket to extend operating circuits through the prongs 23, the contact posts 26a, the fuses 2?, and the separate conductors 3?. As shown in Fig. 1, the receptacle is formed to receive two of the ordinary type household electrical plugs 53 having electrical connection with an appliance, not shown. Upon insertion of the plugs 59 within the slots 33, an operating circuit is established through the receptacle to the respective appliances. In the event of a short circuit or over loading within the appliance or the lead wire therefor, one or more of the fuses 2?, which are of an amperage substantially lower than the ordinary line and circuit fuses of the household circuit, will blow to open the electrical circuit to the appliance without causing damage to the line or circuit household fuses. In the event that one or more of the fuses 2'! are destroyed by a short circuit, or through other causes, the same may be readily replaced by detaching the two sections it and Il by rotating the sections relative to one another to disengage the bayonet-lock shoulders 33 from the flange 45. The compression force of the springs 23 is such that the fuses 2'! are pushed slightly outwardly from the open ends of the bores 2i upon disengagement of the separate sections it and ll and electrical contact is broken between the shoulders 23 and the posts 23a. In this manner, a burned fuse may be removed by the fingertips and replaced with an operative fuse, and the separate sections 43 and I? once again assembled to establish the necessary operating circuits for appliances electrically connected with the receptacle.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a mechanically efficient, yet structurally simple, and economical fuse-containing multiple outlet electrical connector. Connectors formed in accordance with the present invention are characterized by their ease and economy of manufacture, readily lending themselves to formation by molding operations. By nature of the identical shape and configuration of the individual component sections of the insulating casing, the formation of such casing requires the use of only two molds or dies, and the remaining individual elements of the receptacle may be easily assembled within the insulating casing sections by the ordinary individual. Such connectors afford increased protection against electrical fire hazards caused by short circuits, and at the same time eliminate the necessity for replacement of relatively inaccessible fuse devices normally associated with the line circuits of household dwellings. At the same time, a blowing of one or more of the fuses contained within the receptacle only renders the appliance or appliances connected therewith inoperative, and does not open an entire line circuit within the dwelling.

While a single preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it will be manifest that the same is subject to various modifications as to constructional details and design without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an auxiliary fuse-containing electrical receptacle; a dielectric casing comprising a pair of detachably connected longitudinally aligned sections; one of said sections being formed with a plurality of sets of spaced plug-receiving openings disposed at one end thereof and arranged to receive the terminal prongs of a plurality of electrical appliances; a plurality of electrical conductor strips extending through said one of said sections and arranged in spaced non-shorting relation, said conductor strips having a portion thereof disposed within the plug-receiving openings for engagement with the prongs of electrical appliances inserted therein and terminating at one end adjacent the other of said sections; the other of said sections being formed with a pair of longitudinally disposed and spaced parallel bores opening adjacent to said first-named section; a pair of tubular fuses respectively occupying the bores of said other of said sections and engaging the ends of said conductor strips; a pair of spaced parallel terminal prongs carried by and extending outwardly from the end of said other of said sections opposite said first-named section for insertion within the openings of a female electrical receptacle; means electrically connecting each of said terminal prongs with one of said fuses when said sections are connected, and spring means in said bores engaging each of said fuses and operable, when said sections are disconnected, to project said fuses outwardly through the open ends of said bores and thereby to interrupt electrical connection between said fuses and said terminal prongs.

2. In a fuse-containing auxiliary electrical receptacle; a first dielectric casing section formed with a pair of spaced parallel bores opening at one end thereof; a pair of spaced parallel terminal prongs extending outwardly from the opposite end of said first section and having an end portion thereof disposed within said bores; fuse means occupying each of the bores of said first section and movable longitudinally thereof; conductor means positioned in said bores between said fuse means and said terminal prongs; spring means carried in said bores and arranged to urge said fuse means outwardly of said bores and out of electrical connection with said prongs; a second dielectric casing section formed with a plurality of relatively spaced channels extending from one end to the other of said second section and terminating at one end of said second section in a plurality of prong-receiving openings; a plurality of electrical conductors positioned within the channels of said second casing and extending from the prong-receiving openings thereof to the opposite end of said second section; and cooperative locking means provided on each of said sections for detachably uniting said first and second sections in longitudinally aligned order and for bringing said fuse means into electrical connection with said electrical conductors and with said terminal prongs.

3; A fuse-containing auxiliary electrical receptacle as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said first and second casing sections are formed from identical separate half portions detachably united by fastening devices.

ROGER T. SHAUL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,974,700 Adams Sept. 25, 1934 2 ,063,723 Brody Dec. 8, 1936 2,257,688 Keefe Sept. 30, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 341,343 Great Britain Jan. 15, 1931 

